West View Elementary School's new addition opened on Monday, March 4, marking a major milestone in the renovation project which began nearly two years ago during the summer of 2022.
With the addition comes a brand new main entrance, which is located just to the left of where the previous entrance was on Chalfonte Street. The temporary main entrance adjacent to the gym has now closed.
Once inside the new space, visitors will notice the new main office directly to the right and a conference room to the left. Beyond the vestibule is the new central stairwell connecting all three floors.
The stairwell is open and modern and unlike anything ever seen in the nearly 100-year building. Built in 1925, the school has undergone many renovations since it first opened as West View Junior High School and its layout was choppy as a result.
Down the main floor hallway to the left is a brand new health suite and additional classrooms. The top floor includes a new library and media center as well as additional classrooms.
The temporary wall beyond the stairwell on all three floors, built to keep teaching spaces separate from the construction site this school year, has been removed, further connecting spaces that were once secluded, easing navigation around the building.
While the new addition is now occupied by students and staff, it is far from finished. Murals and interactive artwork about the history of the building, borough of West View and western Pennsylvania are planned and will be added closer to completion.
With the new space now open, the next phase of construction will begin on classrooms located on the west side of the school along Perry Highway.
The $39 million project is now about halfway complete, with construction to continue through the summer of 2025.
The project is scheduled for completion prior to the 2025-26 school year to coincide with the building’s 100-year anniversary.
Visit www.nhsd.net/wv-renovation for pictures of the progress and project updates.